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Cape Town - Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has announced three changes to his starting line-up, with two new faces on the bench, for Saturday's all-South African Super Rugby derby against the Lions at Newlands (kick-off 17:05).
The Stormers can secure a third South African Conference title with a victory against the in-form Lions and the return of Schalk Burger, from a week’s rest - as per the SA Rugby rest agreement with the SA Franchises - will boost the home side significantly.
Burger’s return sees Nizaam Carr drop down to the bench, with Sikhumbuzo Notshe, a try-scorer off the bench against the Cheetahs last weekend, missing out altogether.
Joining Burger back in the starting line-up are hooker Bongi Mbonambi (in for the injured Scarra Ntubeni) and tighthead prop Frans Malherber, who swaps places with Vincent Koch.
Koch, in turn, drops down to the bench where he is joined by stars of the Western Province Vodacom Cup team, hooker Michael Willemse and utility back Jaco Taute - adding to a strong group of replacements, which also includes Oli Kebble, Jean Kleyn, Carr, Louis Shcreuder and Kurt Coleman.
Speaking about the strength of the Stormers’ bench, Coetzee told the Stormers’ official website: “I thought a guy like Nizaam played superbly against the Cheetahs last week and he will add something from the bench this week, as will the two new faces and guys like Oli, Vincent, Jean, Louis and Kurt who are equally capable of playing starting roles for us.
“In a competition like this you need a strong replacements bench and I am satisfied with our final selection in what was a tough selection week with the Springbok training camp and the return to fitness of some players.”
The Stormers and the Lions are in first and second place, respectively, on the SA Conference log with the latter playing in their final league match of 2015 - knowing that only a victory will keep alive their conference title hopes.
“The Lions’ results this season speak for themselves - they’re a form team with plenty of self-belief and why not? said Coetzee
“We know we’re in for a tough game against a team that asks a helluva lot of questions of you, especially in the set-piece.”
Teams:
Stormers:
15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16 Michael Willemse, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Jaco Taute
Lions:
15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Ruan Combrinck, 13. Harold Vorster, 12. Alwyn Hollenbach, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Faf de Klerk, 8. Warren Whiteley (captain), 7. Warwick Tecklenburg, 6. Jaco Kriel, 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Martin Muller, 3. Julian Redelinghuys, 2. Armand van der Merwe, 1. Schalk van der Merwe
Substitutes: 16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Corne Fourie, 18. Ruan Dreyer, 19. Robert Kruger, 20. Kwagga Smith, 21. Dillon Smit, 22. Marnitz Boshoff, 23. Howard Mnisi
